
Battle of Britain
The German attempt to win air supremacy over Britain, 1940
Jon Lake(Author)
Amber Books (Publisher)
Published on 14. June 2019
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-78274-747-5 (ISBN)
Description
In the summer of 1940, the most important battle in the history of air warfare was fought between the British Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe in the skies over southern Britain. Only after a tightly-fought series of aerial battles did the RAF secure a narrow victory - or did it? Although glamourised by the press and cinema alike over the past 60 years, the battle was an intense war of attrition in which luck, skill, judgement and bravery all played a role. The Battle of Britain explores in detail the men, machines and tactics engaged in the epic struggle, and seeks to debunk some of the popular myths that surround it. The book examines the strength of both sides on the eve of the battle, and its wider strategic implications fo the outcome of the war, before looking at the German preparations for invasion, and the Luftwaffe's state of readiness after the Polish and French campaigns. It explains why the battle was a race against time for the Germans and highlights factors such as the lack of suitable transports and inexperience in planning a seaborne invasion that helped hinder their efforts. The book also asks whether Hitler himself was ever truly committed to invading Britain. Britain's preparations for defending herself from attack are also closely examined. The role and effectiveness of such institutions as the Home Guards and Observer Corps are covered, as well as the vital Chain Home and Chain Home Low radar networks. The Battle of Britain analyses the RAF's preparations for the battle, its main fighters, the Hurricane and the Spitfire, and the vital importance of pilots from the Commonwealth, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, the United States and elsewhere. The Battle of Britain covers every stage of this mammoth contest in detail, beginning with the opening attacks on British shipping and ports. The book highlights how close the war of attrition against the RAF came to succeeding, when the full fury of the Luftwaffe was unleashed on its airfields. It also asks why the Luftwaffe began bombing the cities when it was so close to success. The failings of both sides are dissected: the discord between key RAF commanders, and the initial failure of the Germans to realise the importance of radar. Superbly illustrated with both full-colour artworks of the aircraft (including some three-view artworks), as well as colour and black-and-white photographs, and a detailed appendix on squadron and aircraft service history, The Battle of Britain provides an outstanding account of the conflict.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Amber Books Ltd
Target group
Children/juvenile
Young adult
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
College/higher education
Interest Age: From 12 to 99 years
Product notice
With printed dust jacket
Illustrations
Index; Maps; Halftones, color; Halftones, black and white; Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 192 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
900 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78274-747-5 (9781782747475)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Jon Lake is an aviation author, journalist and photographer. He holds a pilot's licence and served as a Volunteer Reserve pilot with the University of London Air Squadron.
Content
Introduction
A Close-Run Thing
Chapter 1.
The Build-Up To War
Chapter 2.
The Rise of the Luftwaffe
Chapter 3.
The Royal Air Force 1918-1940
Chapter 4.
Kanalkampf: 1 July - 7 August
Chapter 5.
A Duel of Eagles: 8 August - 6 September
Chapter 6.
The Blitz: 7 September - 31 October
Chapter 7.
Who Won The Battle of Britain?
Appendix
Aircraft of the Battle of Britain: specifications, squadrons they flew with, service history
Index
A Close-Run Thing
Chapter 1.
The Build-Up To War
Chapter 2.
The Rise of the Luftwaffe
Chapter 3.
The Royal Air Force 1918-1940
Chapter 4.
Kanalkampf: 1 July - 7 August
Chapter 5.
A Duel of Eagles: 8 August - 6 September
Chapter 6.
The Blitz: 7 September - 31 October
Chapter 7.
Who Won The Battle of Britain?
Appendix
Aircraft of the Battle of Britain: specifications, squadrons they flew with, service history
Index